392 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc 



The greatest need to the fruit growing business in this State, at 

 present, along legislative lines, is for a law compelling every shipper 

 to mark his name and address on every package he ships, with the 

 grade and minimum size of the fruit contained in the package. 

 This law is sure to come sooner or later in this State as it is already 

 in operation in other states, and the right source from which it 

 should come is from the fruit growers themselves. 



The thousands of young trees coming into bearing will mean closer 

 competition and the fruit grower who pays close attention to the 

 grading and packing of his fruit will be the one to make a success 

 of his business. Situated in the heart of the fruit growing section, 

 with the best markets in the country for our products, there need be 

 no fear of over production of the best quality of fruit in the State. 

 To capture the markets for our own products, all we need is closer 

 attention to the appearance of our package, as we already have the 

 quality of fruit to put in the package. 



The future of the fruit business is the same as the future of any 

 other business, we will have good years and bad years, but the fruit 

 grower who will pay close attention to his business, who will retain 

 his enthusiasm in the years of low prices, using the best methods of 

 producing and marketing his crops will surely make a success in the 

 fruit business as he would in any other line of business. 



REPORT OF THE BOTANIST 



By PROF. F. D. KERN, State College, Pa. 



The chief problems of a botanical nature in which the members 

 of this Board are interested are without much doubt the eradication 

 of weeds and the control of plant diseases. The year 1915 did not 

 develop any unusual situations regarding weeds. There was the 

 usual correspondence from all parts of the State asking for identifi- 

 cations and suggestions as to methods of extermination. In the re- 

 port a. year ago the speaker referred to weeds and considerable 

 interest was manifested in the subject. Perhaps it may be well to 

 mention specifically some of the weeds which were inquired about 

 most during the past year. 



Yellow or Hop Clover was received for identification from num- 

 erous correspondents from ten or more counties. The scientific 

 name is Trifolium agrarmm. This is an annual plant which has 

 been introduced from Europe. Its seeds are doubtless distributed 

 as impurities through those of the larger clovers. It is a soil en- 

 richer as all the clovers are and can scarcely be called a weed, al- 

 though one finds mention of it usually in that connection. Its 

 bright yellow flowers are conspicuous and attract the attention of 

 those not familiar with it. It is not new in the State, as mention 

 of its occurrence may be found in the Report of the Botanist, Dr, 



